The 9 Best Food Tours in Rome

Rome, the capital of Italy, is a wondrous city with an almost endless list of places to see and things to do. Rome is known for its rich history, stunning architecture, and of course, its exceptional cuisine.


In Partnership with Turismo Roma

You’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to choosing the best food tours in Rome to experience during your trip. No one would blame you if you did them all, but that’s probably not practical unless you have a year to spare. Don’t fret; we’ve done the work for you and narrowed down the list. Here are the 9 best food tours in Rome, Italy.

Taste of Testaccio Rome Food Tour

Tourist posing with two vendors in Rome, Italy

If you only have time for one food tour (you poor thing), we recommend a tour like this one. It’s a general tour rather than a themed one, so you’ll get to try a variety of Rome’s delicious food.

The 4-hour tour takes you through Testaccio for an experience that is as tasty as it is exciting. You’ll experience the local market, meet food vendors, and try everything from Roman street food to classic Italian dishes.

Rome Food Tour by Sunset around Prati District

Food samples during one of the best food tours in Rome.

What makes this one of the best food tours in Rome? It takes you off the tourist trail and into the heart of the local foodie district for a fully authentic Italian experience. You’ll see Rome through the eyes of a local as your guide takes you to 5 favourites that cover Italy’s staples: pizza, wine, cheese, cured meats, and fresh pasta.

The chefs and vendors will take time sharing recipes and tips with you. You’ll head home from your vacation armed with the ability to WOW your friends and family. This is a great food tour in Rome for a real Italian experience.

Italian Wine and Cheese Tasting in Rome

Table with wine, cheese, and meat samples during one of the best food tours in Rome.

If you’re on a quick trip then you’ll probably cram as many activities into your adventure as you can. Going on a quick 1-hour food tour instead of the half-day excursions is a great way to experience the local food while still leaving time for sightseeing and troublemaking.

During this 1-hour wine and cheese tour in Rome, you’ll sample red and white wines of the region, artisanal cheese, and cured meats. You’ll learn about the producers and vendors in the area while gaining fascinating food knowledge from your local guide.

Full Course Cooking Class in Rome with Market Visit

Group of people participating in an Italian cooking class in Rome.

Something for the knowledge-hungry travellers who love hands-on experiences. For some people, it might be enough to leave Rome with a full belly. For others, they may want to leave Rome with a full belly AND the skills to keep it full of Italian goodness. This tour/cooking class hybrid is one of the best food tours in Rome for you.

The 4.5-hour experience starts in the local food market, where your chef and guide will teach you how to pick out the best ingredients. Then you’ll head to the cooking school where you’ll cook up a delicious 4-course meal. You’ll go home with the skills to whip up your own authentic Italian feast.

Private Vineyard Walk & Roman Wine Tastings

Grapes in a vineyard near Rome, Italy.

For those who don’t want to share their tour with complete strangers, consider heading out on a private tour. This one is designed for the wine-lovers of the world who want to enjoy the experience with just their travel partner(s).

You’ll be taken to a vineyard south of Rome where you’ll learn all about the historic estate and its origin as a convent. The host will teach you about the process of winemaking during your tour of the vineyard and you’ll sample wines with delicious accompaniments such as cheese, bread, oils, and meats.

Pizza and Gelato Walking Tour in Rome

Pizza samples on a pizza and gelato food tour of Rome.

If you know what you like, why tolerate all those filler stops when you can head on a tour that was practically made for you. This hour and a half small group or private tour is all about experiencing two of Italy’s finest offerings: pizza and gelato.

This tour will take you to two pizza by the slice stops where you can fill your belly with flavourful cheesy perfection. Then you’ll head to two artisanal gelato places with your guide. Along the way, your local guide will tell you all about the process of making both and how to spot the good stuff. This is one of the best food tours in Rome for people who know the happiness that freshly made pizza and gelato can provide.

Budget-friendly Street Food Tour of Trastevere Quarter in Rome

Group of people of a budget friendly food tour in Rome.

For the budget-conscious traveller, some of these food tours come with a daunting price tag. Especially when they involve stops at the finest dining establishments with the fanciest wine. Thankfully, these aren’t your only options. You can experience all the wonderful cuisine Rome has to offer without emptying your wallet by choosing a budget-friendly food tour of Rome.

This tour will help you experience Italian eats like a local as you spend 4 hours exploring the alleys and gems of the Trastevere Quarter with your guide. You’ll taste all the favourites, both savoury and sweet, and have plenty of mulla left over for other experiences.

Cook & taste in Rome

Tourists learning how to make fresh pasta during one of the best food tours in Rome.

Another tour and cooking class hybrid in Rome, but this one is focused a bit more on the eating and a bit less on the cooking. However, you’ll finish the tour having experienced making your own fresh pasta from scratch which will make you a favourite at every family gathering from that point on.

The tour takes you to fascinating stops including an ancient cookie factory, a street food corner, and a local cheese shop. Then you’ll head to a small kitchen and spend an hour making fresh pasta before finishing your tour with some gelato.

Rome Small-group Food Experience

Ice cream cones in a shop in Rome, Italy.

This is a 3-hour history-focused food tour in Rome. You’ll not only get to taste a variety of freshly-made specialities, but you’ll also learn all about the Roman gastronomic heritage of the area from your guide.

You can choose to enjoy the experience as a private tour or in a small group of 6 people.


Rome is ready to welcome travellers as soon as the time is right. Head to turismoroma.it to start planning your foodie trip to this magnificent destination.